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| Making a Trash Can Rain Barrel With Spigot August 14, 2007 16:55:29 We live in the country and have a well that supplies our water. Consequently, I do not feel like I can water my garden. I should have built this a couple of months ago because it is hot and dry now. But, anyway, I decided to build a rain storage barrel using a plastic trash can. It has a spigot in the bottom so I can hook up a hose to get the water out. I purchased a new 32 gallon plastic trash can with a lid. We have been using a plastic trash can for horse water for years, in fact we have had the same one for years, so I know it will hold up to the weather. The other parts came right out of the plumbing department from a home improvement store. The list of parts is as follows: 1 - 1/2 inch plastic hose bib, thats the thing with the handle that you attach the hose to. 2 - 3/4 inch steel washer, I had to go to a local hardware store because the big box store did not have washers that big. 2 - rubber #13 O rings, these have an 11/16 inch inside diameter. 1 - 1/2 inch pipe connector, this piece could probably be plastic A roll of plastic teflon pipe thread tape. 
Size 2.17 Meg .wmv will play in Windows Media Player By wrapping the threads with the pipe tape it will keep water from seeping out through the threads. The steel washers add some strength to the assembly. The washers will exert more pressure on the O rings because the hose bib shoulder is tapered and not very big. 
Size 3.80 Meg .wmv will play in Windows Media Player You need a 3/4 spade drill bit to drill the hole. With that size the end of the hose bib will slip through and still be tight. Although I did not show it in the video you will need to final tighten the whole assembly with a wrench to get it good and tight. 
Size 2.28 Meg .wmv will play in Windows Media Player After I had it all together I tied the barrel in the back of my small truck and drove into town to a friends house. I put about 25 gallons of water in the barrel and drove home. It is sitting out by the garden in the truck. I am letting the chlorine come out of the water and will probably put it on the garden tomorrow evening. By the way, the barrel does not leak so it was a success. I will put some pics up when I have it installed under the down spout behine the back porch. 
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